Head tube reinforcing rings: when to add?

[Mike Pearson]

Hi everyone. I've had a look at the search and not come up with an answer for this, so I'm hoping someone may be able to advise. This might be a daft question, but I'm a new builder so I'm getting used to asking them!

I'm not sure how early on in the build process I should add these. I'm using a plain-gauge piece of tubing for the HT.

My current plan is to braze them onto the HT at the correct separation for the finished HT length, then cut the excess tubing off as close to the rings as possible, keeping the ends square. Once that's done then the HT goes into the jig for the mitering of the front triangle. In effect, it's pretty much completed apart from the reaming & facing process.

Is that how it's normally done? I'm trying to make sure I don't do anything that will make it difficult to install them, or cause problems with the setup of the jig.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

[Clockwork]

I do it beforehand because they won't fit over the headtube if there's just a little distortion in the headtube. Especially on the bottom of the headtube.

-Joel

[jon_norstog]

Mike, I make and use reinforcing rings except when I'm using a machined headtube. I use .058" tubing to make them. and make certain they are in place before I start brazing ir welding up the headtube to the TT and DT.

Works for me.

Good luck!

jn

"Thursday"

[Jason Musgrave]

"A lathe is a beautiful thing."

-Dazza